Winter Flowering Heathers (Ericas)

Unlike
their summer-flowering counterparts, the winter flowering
Ericas (Heaths) are not too fussy about the type of soil
they are planted in. They will live quite happily in
alkaline (lime) soils, whereas the summer flowering types
will only thrive in an acid soil.

As can be
seen in the picture, they also make good ground covering
plants. There are also many fine coloured foliage types to
be obtained.

Winter
flowering types are mainly cultivars of Erica carnea or
Erica x darleyensis. (Erica vagans types will also thrive
in alkaline soil, but are summer flowering)

The flower
colours range from white through light pink, into deep
pinks reds and cerise or purple. Foliage types are also
important and can range from rich gold tinged with red ,
light yellow, silver and the normal range of greens and
bronze/greens.

Heathers
flowering in the middle of winter can bring much needed
colour to the garden at this time of year. They are also
important as ground-covering and foliage effect plants.

All types
should be pruned immediately after flowering. This can be
carried out by lightly trimming with a pair of hedge
shears. Simply cut back the flowered stems. This ensures
compact bushy plants.

Ericas can
often be bought as small plants in 7cm square pots. It is
worth paying a little extra for larger plants. Allow at
least 45cm between plants, even if it does leave a soil
gap. They will need the room to spread, and normally start
spreading well during their second year after planting.
Although they are happy in alkaline soils, they respond
well to an annual dressing of moss peat. In the growing
season, water freely, and feed with a half-strength
solution of liquid feed monthly.

They have
few pests or diseases, however, they can be susceptible to
various fungal attacks in warm wet weather. The main
culprit is Phytophtora - which rots the roots!

Some
popular types - (there are many having different names,
that look so similar!)

Winter flowering heather respond well to watering during the dry
spring and summer months.. they are often thought of as being for dry
areas. Whilst this is true of some of the 'moorland' heathers, the
winter flowering types are best if kept moist with regular watering.

Propagation of Winter Flowering Heathers

Erica carnea types are normally propagated from cuttings. Late
summer is the easiest way, and cuttings are normally just a couple of
inches long - inserted into a peaty compost of vermiculite. Larger
cuttings taken earlier, also root well, but are slightly more difficult.

For just a few plants, division of established clumps can be an easy
option - best in early spring after flowering.

A very easy way to get extra plants, is to 'earth up' the plant in
situ - holding the foliage erect and scooping light compost in and
around the crown of the plant, then shaking it down. This will ensure
that many of the shoots will form roots at the base - so easy to remove
and grow on.

Larger plants bough as container grown specimens can be knocked out
of the container and often prised apart into several plants. The
rootball can even be cut through in several places with a sturdy, sharp,
knife if it is too difficult to separate by hand.